What species of cave gecko (Goniurosaurus sp.)?

[dewrun]

Hi all,
I purchased these two cave geckos recently at a reptile show in San Diego. The dealer could not guarantee the geckos were a pair as they both appeared to be male but based on the larger size one was possibly female. Does anyone here have the expertise to identify the species based on the posted photos? I am guessing that they are Goniurosaurus luii but they do not look as light colored as some of the photos on the web. They are more of a dark purple. The bigger one has yellow bands and I'm guessing is a female. Are these young or full adults, they seem to be juvenile? When I got home, I put the geckos together and they instantly mated! It has been about one month since that mating but not sure if the supposed female is gravid.

Thanks.

 

[perenquen]

hi, they are Goniurosaurus hainanensis. this species (and very similar G.lichtenfelderi) have more robust body (and smaller) than G.luii. Another difference is that G.lichtenfelderi/hainanensis have 4 bands counting from neck to hind legs, while G. luii (and related species) have usually 5 bands.

 

[dewrun]

Thanks for the helpful identification.

Perenquen,

Very helpful information. I appreciate your detailed explanation about the number of bands from head to base of tail. Now that you pointed out that my geckos have 4 bands and are more heavy-bodied, I have searched for other photos of Goniurosaurus hainanensis and am convinced with your description. Thank you.

 

[PassPort]

I'm guessing you got those from Pet Kingdom at the show? If so, they are a pair and about 3/4 grown.

 

[dewrun]

PassPort,
Yes! Amazing guess. They were purchased from Pet Kingdom at the show. Do you know the likelihood that these are CB or are they WC? Are they for sure G. hainanensis?
Although they mated once, no eggs developed.

 

[PassPort]

Either captive bred or captive hatched. They came from eggs laid by WC adults and yes, they are 100% hainenensis.

 

[dewrun]

Thanks Kevin,
I really appreciate your insight and gecko expertise.

I've kept a few leopard geckos, fat tail geckos, and banded geckos since the early nineties (before the species were bred in exotic patterns) and now have renewed interest after getting the cave geckos and a new leopard gecko at the show. My old leopard geckos are about 18 years old and still happy. I also have a 24 year old tiger salamander, its pretty amazing how they can live so long in a simple set-up.
I'm thinking about getting more cave geckos and nephrurus sp. in the near future.